2/3/19
In the long history of Emmaus wrestling, the program has only crowned one PIAA state champion.
That coming in the 2004-05 season when heavyweight Brian Reiss had his hand raised in Hershey following a 5-1 win over Erie Cathedral Prep’s Stefan Tighe.
Reiss punctuated an outstanding senior season where he went 41-1 and a four-year career that leaves him ranked No.1 with 141 wins.
If not for a life-changing event that took place eight years earlier, Mike Hoosier may have had that honor that Reiss currently holds.
At least that’s what current Emmaus head coach Thad Smith thinks.
“I’m not lying when I say he would have been Emmaus’ first state champ, he was on that path and that good.” said Smith during a recent interview.
The night of February 3, 1997 changed all that.
Hoosier, 16 at the time, and his older brother, Craig, 18, were on their way home after hanging out with friends following the team’s away meet at Stroudsburg High School.
Shortly before 2 a.m., the car driven by Craig, veered off the road and hit a tree on Spring Creek Road near Weiler’s Road in Lower Macungie Township.
Mike, sitting in the passenger’s seat, suffered a traumatic brain injury and was airlifted by MedEvac to Lehigh Valley Hospital. He couldn’t talk, walk or eat. His wrestling career was over, and nearly his life.
It was touch and go.
“I was their that night and I was one of the people they called to come in and it was basically saying our goodbyes,” recalled Smith of the horrific night. ” If anyone could pull through, it was Mike and he did and he’s still with us today.
Now 38, Hoosier is confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but his legacy still lives on.
The Emmaus wrestling program currently has an award named after him and in the team’s final dual meet of the season at home against Whitehall, the program gave back to Hoosier as he became the latest to have his name etched into program’s Wall of Fame.
“I was very surprised and very honored,’ said Hoosier flanked by his parents, Gary and Linda. ” I love it. “It’s a great honor and I’m proud of myself .”
Hoosier received tremendous praise from Smith who addressed the crowd prior to the match and was awarded plaque from the Emmaus Wrestling Takedown Club, acknowledging his induction into the Wall of Fame.
“I’ve been here 26 years and I’ve known Mike all 26,” said an emotional Smith. “I’ve watched him come through the midget program he’s a special young kid and very deserving of this award.”
Hoosier is the latest to have his name inducted, joining former Hornet standout Kenny Arndt in 2018, longtime head coach Jeff Arbushites in 2017 and another former grappler, Eric Bauder in 2016.
